Recruiting Update: Lamar Washington (2022 Jefferson/Compass AZ)

<p>It’s definitely been a whirlwind these past few days for [player_tooltip player_id="787678" first="Lamar" last="Washington"]. The state’s top player in the Class of 2022 has made a college campus visit, picked up a new scholarship offer, and unfortunately also went through a two-game losing streak with Jefferson. The skilled 6-foot-4, 205-pound point guard knew that last part was unacceptable so it was time for a heart-to-heart discussion.</p> <p>"We had a talk as a team that we needed to have better chemistry and to trust each other more," Washington said. "It was really all communication, that we needed to be all on the same page. We just said we needed to turn things over and end the season really strong."</p> <p>Washington knew he had to do his part, and consider that completed in Jefferson’s win at Westview on Tuesday night. In scoring a game-high 35 points, he flirted with a posting a triple-double by also tallying eight rebounds and seven assists, while nabbing five steals on the defensive end. It was the Washington we’ve gotten accustomed to seeing this season - on the year he’s averaging just shy of 31 points per game and has posted individual efforts of 52 and 48 points.</p> <p>"I feel like the season for me has gone really well," Washington said. "But as a team we’re still building. Right now we’re on this last stretch and we’re all coming together at the right time."</p> <p>One of the tough losses was on Monday when for the first time in a couple of years, the Demos dropped a PIL game at home as Cleveland came up with the upset. But as Washington went to his car, he got a pleasant surprise. On the other end was Texas Tech associate coach Barret Peery - former head coach at Portland State - who was there to offer the junior a scholarship offer from the Red Raiders.</p> <p>"Coach Peery and I have had a good relationship since my freshman year," Washington said. "Him moving and offering me, that was big - that’s my guy right there. They’re a big consideration for me. It’s a big school, a good school in a good conference where there’s good competition every game. It’s big time."</p> <p>The offer comes off a weekend where Washington - along with teammates [player_tooltip player_id="861099" first="Marquis" last="Cook"] and [player_tooltip player_id="857341" first="Trejon" last="Williams"] - made a trip down south on I-5 to visit the University of Oregon for an unofficial visit.</p> <p>"It was a really great experience and it was my first unofficial visit ever," Washington said. "It’s hometown and hopefully it can work out that way I and make my way down there. They’re going to come down and see me in July since they haven’t been able to see me yet. They like me, so there’s big interest there."</p> <p>Washington hopes to make more campus visits but at this point he’s still working with a large list of schools - that is likely to increase once AAU action starts up next month. "Right now I’m talking to a lot of schools so I can’t make any plans yet," Washington said. "But after July there will be some visits."</p> <p>For now, the focus is on the rest of this 2021 season. For Washington and the Demos, it’s simple. "The plan is to keep coming out strong, keep building as a team, and when culmination week comes we can beat every team by ten to fifteen," Washington said.</p> <p>Through 11 games, Washington is leading 6A in scoring at 30.8 points, while also averaging 9.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.6 steals. He currently ranks as the #1 ranked player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2022 rankings.</p>